Finding Elizabeth

by Faith Helm

  Because the roads were getting worse, Daniel agreed to stay in the guest house with his parents for the night. After saying their goodbyes, Claire and Jen headed upstairs.

  "I have to say Claire, this house is a little spooky at night. Can I stay in your room with you?" Jen asked.

  "Yes, it will be so much fun, just like when we were kids. Besides I wanted to talk to you about this mystery man," Claire retorted.

  After they were ready for the night, the girls climbed into the huge bed and Claire began, "So spill it sister, who is he?"

  "Oh Claire he is wonderful, his name is David. I met him at a convention for work and we have been seeing each other for a couple of months. We love going to auctions, and we go dancing and to the movies. He has such a good heart. He is a veterinarian, and he works with abused and neglected animals and operates a small shelter. David is kind, warm and loving. Just the type of man I had hoped to meet someday," Jen said with a faraway look.

  Taking out her cell phone Jen showed Claire his picture, "Not only is he a genuinely nice guy, he is good looking." Claire nodded in agreement as Jen continued, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about him. It's just that you have been so lost without Adam. I didn't want to bring up anything that might hurt you. Adam was a big part of your life, but Claire, he is gone and you need to find a way to get past the hurt and move forward. Nobody expects you to start dating or remarry right away, but you need to find some peace, so that one day you can."

  With tears welling up in her eyes, Claire thought for a moment before speaking, "Is it bad that I have been thinking of Daniel in that way? It's crazy, we just met on Saturday, but I just feel so calm and relaxed around him. It just feels easy with him, like it was with Adam. I find myself thinking of Daniel when he isn't around. But I don't even know how he feels about me."

  Jen laughed, "Are you kidding me? Haven't you noticed the way he looks at you? He looks at you like you are the only person in the room. And the way you finish each others sentences. It's like you have known each other for a lifetime. I know you just met, but I can tell he cares about you. I think if you give him a chance he can help you leave Adam in the past.

  "I'm sure you will think I'm crazy, but I can't stop thinking that this new life is a gift from Adam. Who really inherits not only a beautiful home but a new life with a successful business. And I know Adam would want me to be happy. Sometimes I feel like he is right here with me trying to lift my spirits," Claire said. "It was our dream to move to Eureka and start a business and a family. I just can't imagine that he isn't here with me."

  "You are not crazy! I'm sure that Adam is with you. The two of you were inseparable in life, and I doubt that would change in death. And you are right, Adam loved you and he would want you to be happy, even if that meant moving forward without him and getting re-married some day. You are so young, what do you think, you are just supposed to stop living because he is gone? He wouldn't want that. I know you both dreamed of moving to Eureka, opening an antique store and having children. Can't you see, you already have the home in Eureka and you are opening the store soon. All that is left is the children. I think Adam would be pleased," Jen said.

  Claire thought for a while about their conversation. She was right, two of their dreams were coming true. Maybe Adam did send her here to live out their dreams.

  After a long silence the girls said good night. Turning off the lights, as they lie in the dark, quietly thinking about their futures.

  ***

  Chapter Ten

  Again, Claire woke early to the sound of the crying baby. Thinking to herself, she wondered if it would be possible to trap the fox and have it moved somewhere further away from the house. Rising, she decided she would read Elizabeth's journal. Turning to the table beside the bed, Where did I put it? Knowing she had read it in bed the night before Jen arrived, Claire silently slipped from the bed as she looked all around, unable to find it.

  Feeling a little panicked, she left the room and began searching. After a thorough search she found it in the second floor turret room. Hmmm, I don't remember being in here in a few days. Claire shrugged off the thought, deciding maybe Jen had been up earlier and decided to read. As she settled onto the comfy sofa, she opened the journal and began.

  March 20, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  So much has happened since my last entry. Mother has learned of my illness and the absence of my menstruation. She nervously brought me into town to visit Doctor Livingston, who confirmed what mother suspected. He said that given the date of onset, my child would make his or her arrival in the fall.

  On the return trip home, mother expressed her fears of what is to surely come when father finds out I am with child. I could see the worry in her eyes, but I can not help but to feel happy that I am with child.

  I am still hopeful Thomas will come for me soon, so he can share in the blessed event. Now I am even more hopeful father will allow us to wed. After all a child needs a fathers love and care as much as it needs its mothers.

  Mother is trying to decide the best way to handle father. She has asked me to continue to keep this secret, until she has devised a plan. I told her of my love for Thomas, but she already knew. She said she has seen the way we look at one another and has even seen us steal away from time to time. But she fears father would never allow me to marry someone below my social class, even in my delicate condition.

  I know I should not speak to mother with such a tone, but I could not help myself. I firmly told her that I love Thomas and he loves me, and I am an adult and that we would be married, no matter what. If father did not approve I would just run back to Boston and find Thomas myself and they would never have to set eyes upon me again. I could tell the harsh words shocked and hurt mother, but I think they worried her more because she knew that they were true. I hope it does not come to that because I would sorely miss mother and William.

  Elizabeth

  March 22, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  There is still no news of Thomas. I must confess, I have grown concerned over the past months that the gambling house has had a negative influence over him.

  I have of course, never been in a gambling house, but I know that they can be dangerous places. Once I overheard a conversation between father and his business partner about the types of going on in such a place. To hear them tell it, the gambling house is full of drunkards, cheats and soiled doves. And many times there are fights and sometimes people are even shot. I worry he will begin drinking and who knows, maybe he has even bed one of the women from the house of ill repute.

  In my fragile condition I should not worry my mind with such things, but I just can not help it. I fear he will not return for me and I worry of what will become of myself and our child.

  I must end now. Mother and father are throwing a party today for Williams tenth birthday. The poor baby has been so excited to open his presents and our cook has baked a wonderful cake that has tormented the boy for the entire day.

  Elizabeth

  March 23, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  William's party was going splendidly. Several young boys and girls from his school attended with their parents. William loved the gifts that mother and I had chosen. He has collected marbles since he was old enough to play, so we chose several from the mercantile that were especially colorful swirled glass. The colors were vibrant and mother thought perhaps William would like them because they were different than the clay marbles he normally played. We also chose a set of checkers in a beautiful box with inlaid wood on the top. It is a beautiful set, and something that William can enjoy for a very long time.

  The cake that cook baked was delicious and quickly gobbled up. And as the children played, the adults sipped their punch and talked. I must admit I was having a glorious time. It is not often I am included in adult conversation.

  Just as the party was coming to an end father, who had been drinking with the other men in the library got into a fight with one of our new neighbo
rs. He tried to take a swing at the poor gent, but he missed. Father fell onto the floor, which only angered him more.

  I am not sure what the fight was about, but it does not matter. I am certain it was father's drunken state that caused it. I felt so badly for mother and for William. It sent mother into a state and she has complained of a headache and has since locked herself in her chamber.

  I fear William will be ridiculed in school, but I hope and pray that it is not so. The family has always tried to shield him from father and his behavior, but surely he will come to realize that father is a drunkard.

  How I wish there was a way to protect my poor baby brother from fathers harsh hand. I know it is hard to believe, but there was a time when father treated myself and Andrew with love. I would never have believed that he would harm us in any way. But sadly, that is the truth.

  Elizabeth

  April 1, 1886

  Dear Diary,

  The days following Williams birthday have proven to be a very dark time in our family. Father has continued his drunken stupor as mother has remained locked away in her chamber. I fear my delicate condition has something to do with mothers headaches as much as fathers unsavory behavior.

  I continue to pray that somehow this family will find peace and for William's sake I have continued to carry on as though all is well. We take dinner together every day, and sometimes we even return to his attic. He has taught me to play marbles, and I have begun teaching him how to play the piano. He has proven to be a bright student and has surprised me at how quickly he is learning. I am so thankful every day to be blessed with such a wonderful baby brother.

  My illness has finally begun to subside, but I know it is just a matter of time until my secret is revealed. I do hope mother has devised her plan to keep me and my child safe.

  I pray to God every day that Thomas will make safe passage to Arkansas to retrieve me. I fear if he approached father in his current drunken state it would only prove deadly for Thomas.

  Elizabeth

  Hearing Jen coming down the hall, Claire put the journal to the side and went to greet her. "Good morning sunshine, it's nice of you to get up and join me. I was just heading down to get a cup of coffee, would you like a cup?"

  Jen grunted her response, "How did you not hear the baby crying all night. I'm sorry but your house is creepy. I think it's haunted."

  "I thought the same thing the first few nights, but Daniel told me that there are fox in the woods behind the house. He said they sound like a baby when they cry," Claire said with a knowing grin.

  Skeptical, Jen smiled, "I hope he is right, but I still don't feel comfortable staying in a room by myself. I hope it's ok for me to stay with you in your room when I visit. Unless of course David is with me, in which case you are on your own."

  Grabbing Jens hand, she led her down the stairs and into the kitchen. As the girls nibbled on toast and drank their coffee they began making plans for the day.

  "I would love to go to an auction today. It has been quite a while since I have gone to one, but I don't want to get out in the weather. Maybe with the attic search under way, we should check out the basement. I would presume the nicer things are stored in the attic and things from the servants and utility items from the house would be in the basement. What do you think?" Claire asked.

  Standing, Jen said, "I think that makes perfect sense, and it sounds like fun. What are we waiting for?"

  "Um, just one problem," Claire said with a puzzled look, "I don't know how to get to the basement."

  Searching the first floor, Claire found a small door, just outside the butler's pantry off of the kitchen.

  "Ah ha, here it is!" Claire yelled, "Grab those flashlights from the kitchen, I think we are going to need them."

  Coming around the corner, Jen grabbed the back of Claire's shirt as they headed down the stairs, "You are such a chicken Jen."

  "Come on Claire, every scary movie has a basement with demons in it. Aren't you the least bit scared?" Jen asked.

  "Absolutely not," Claire lied.

  Nearing the bottoms of the stairs, Claire tripped over a loose board and tumbled to the bottom.

  "Oh my god, Claire are you are right?" Jen yelled as she ran down the stairs.

  "Yes, but my right ankle is killing me. Do you think you can you help me get up?" Claire winced from the pain.

  Jen carefully supported her under her arm while Claire tried to pull herself up with the newel post. After a few attempts at maneuvering the stairs Claire plopped down on a step.

  "It's no use, I can't put any weight on my foot. I'm afraid if we keep trying we will both fall and get hurt worse," Claire cried.

  With a big smile Jen said, "I will be right back, don't move."

  Within a few minutes Jen was back, but Daniel was already steps ahead of her. He gently picked Claire up as if she weighed nothing. Speaking in soft soothing tones, "It's okay, let me get you upstairs and we can look you over."

  Sitting her down on the sofa in the small room off of the kitchen, he carefully removed her boot. He could see that her ankle was beginning to swell and turn blue. She had a couple scrapes on her hand, where she tried to catch herself on the brick of the basement wall and a small cut on her forehead. Just then Janet and Steve came rushing in the back door.

  "Oh my, Claire sweetie, what happened?" Janet crooned.

  "I... I tripped on a loose board on the basement step. I'm fine, I wish you guys wouldn't fuss over me," Claire said.

  "Nonsense, look at your ankle, it's getting bigger by the minute. Daniel get your truck warmed up and take her to the minor emergency in town. She needs to have her ankle x-rayed to make sure it isn't broken. And see to it that she doesn't need stitches on her forehead," Janet said with a worried expression.

  A couple of hours later Daniel carried Claire back into the house.

  "Bring her in here Daniel," Janet yelled from a room just beyond the kitchen.

  "Where did this bedroom come from? I have never seen it," Daniel asked as he gently laid Claire on the bed.

  "It was actually a woman's parlor. While you were at the emergency room your dad, Jen and I moved Claire's bed in and re-arranged. There's no way she is will be able to maneuver those stairs for a while, and there's a bathroom right next door."

  Jen sat down softly on the bed with Claire, "What did the doctor say?"

  "It isn't a big deal, I don't have any broken bones. The doctor said it's just a sprain. He told me to elevate my foot and put ice on it for the next couple of days. I have to use crutches until I can put weight on my foot without pain, but it should be fully healed in a few months," Claire said.

  "I will stay with you. There's no way you will be able to take care of yourself and get everything ready for the store," Jen said thoughtfully.

  "No you will not, I will be fine. I know you have a lot going on and you need to get back home. I don't expect anyone to put their life on hold, for a silly little sprain," Claire said with a smile.

  "Claire is right, we are all here and would be happy to help her. She will be back up on her feet sooner than you think. But right now you need to rest. Is there anything we can bring you?" Janet asked.

  "I just need my laptop, my cell phone and Elizabeth's journal. I left the journal in the second floor turret room on the table next to the sofa. My laptop and cell phone are probably still in my bedroom," Claire said with her sweetest smile.

  Daniel and Jen walked upstairs to get Claire's things as Janet and Steve went to the kitchen to start dinner. When they returned Claire was sound asleep.

  ***

  Chapter Eleven

  Claire woke to the sound of Daniels soothing voice as he gently rubbed his finger along her cheek, "Wake up sleepy head. You have slept most of the day and it's time for more medicine and some food."